Advice 0n a 03 S

[boxxster]

Funny, I just finished fixing up one just like that. Same colour, also had front end damage and a salvage title. Its hard to say without seeing pictures of the damage. On one hand, there isn't really that much up front to be worried about mechanically and if its been driven 50k since the damage you might assume that any problems it might have had would have presented themselves by now. But then again, it doesn't have any service records to substantiate this. On the other hand, 30k is quite a bit of damage. Mine had 20k, 6k of which was for new wiring harness because of a tiny piece of plastic being broken off the headlight plug that didn't even affect it. The other concern that I would have is that the headlights are not correct for the year. Makes you wonder what other concessions might have been made during the rebuild.

[Muskoka Minute]

Originally Posted by boxxster

Funny, I just finished fixing up one just like that. Same colour, also had front end damage and a salvage title. Its hard to say without seeing pictures of the damage. On one hand, there isn't really that much up front to be worried about mechanically and if its been driven 50k since the damage you might assume that any problems it might have had would have presented themselves by now. But then again, it doesn't have any service records to substantiate this. On the other hand, 30k is quite a bit of damage. Mine had 20k, 6k of which was for new wiring harness because of a tiny piece of plastic being broken off the headlight plug that didn't even affect it. The other concern that I would have is that the headlights are not correct for the year. Makes you wonder what other concessions might have been made during the rebuild.

Your right about the head lights....
I never noticed until you mentioned it! They are suppose to be clear.

Being a newbe how else can you tell if they cheated elsewhere?
I guess when you look at it you would know from experience and by knowing what it is suppose to look like.

[GaryMulcahey]

Far be it from me to tell you how to spend your money.
I just think if you look around Kijiji and AutoTrader here in Ontario, and be patient, you can buy a lot of Boxster for $21,000.00 CDN.

Just my 2¢

G

[boxxster]

The only real differences between the front end components of a 00-02 and 03-04 S are the bumper and the headlights, at least in my experience of sourcing parts for my own rebuild. Someone can correct me if I am wrong on this. That bumper is correct for the year though.

Ideally you would want access to the original damage estimate from the insurance company. It will have an itemized list of every component that was damaged and needed to be replaced. Then you would want to cross reference this with the list of parts that were used for the rebuild. The rebuilder has to present the list of all major components that they had to purchase to fix the car in order to get the title changed from salvage to rebuilt, at least here in canada. The problem is that the car was fixed in the states over 10 years ago so you'll probably have a hard time getting access to this information. Personally, this is the kind of stuff I would want to know to feel 100% comfortable buying the car. Definitely get a PPI if you are serious about it though.

[Giller]

Someone mentioned the headlights (probably due to the accident) but I also notice the steering wheel is a 4-spoke wheel? My 02 was 3 spoke.....would that have been replaced too in an accident (airbags?)? Or did they go back to the 4 spoke at some point?

I'd keep looking, or expect a big discount off that price. Seems a bit high. Have you driven it yet?

[Muskoka Minute]

Originally Posted by Giller

Someone mentioned the headlights (probably due to the accident) but I also notice the steering wheel is a 4-spoke wheel? My 02 was 3 spoke.....would that have been replaced too in an accident (airbags?)? Or did they go back to the 4 spoke at some point?

I'd keep looking, or expect a big discount off that price. Seems a bit high. Have you driven it yet?

Good Eye! I never even noticed.
That's one of the things I love about this forum....
All the experienced guys helping everyone....